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English & Philosophy

English

Master of Arts

Program Strengths

Member of the Association of Departments of English, South Atlantic Association of Departments of English, Regents Advisory Committee on English, Modern Language Association.

Fully accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).

Specialized seminars on virtually every aspect of English studies.

Flexible degree requirements allow students to design a course of study that meets their personal and professional interests.

Students can choose either a thesis or non-thesis track; thesis students may pursue creative or critical research.

Special Opportunities

Full-time graduate students may apply for assistantships that provide valuable professional training working as research assistants with faculty on scholarly projects, serving as editorial assistants on one of the department's scholarly journals, or assisting faculty in teaching core courses.

The department holds a yearly forum celebrating exceptional graduate student writing and awards the James Mathews Prize for Graduate Research annually.

Graduate students have the opportunity to gain professional experience by organizing the annual Undergraduate Conference.

Job Opportunities

After graduation, M.A. students typically enter such vocations as teaching, business, law, consulting, editing and publishing, and professional writing.

Beyond coursework and research training, the program prepares students for entry into doctoral programs through individualized advising and workshops.

In recent years graduates have succeeded in securing part-time and full-time teaching positions at post-secondary institutions such as the University of West Georgia, West Central Technical College, Gainesville College, Kennesaw State University, LaGrange College, Georgia Military College and Georgia Highlands College.

Organizations

Chapter of Sigma Tau Delta, the International English Honor Society, which recognizes students for academic excellence. Sigma Tau Delta also provides academic and social enrichment for all students in the program through a variety of field trips and sponsored activities.

Graduate students may contribute to the program by serving on the student-run Steering Committee, which organizes workshops and activities, or by serving as student representative to the Graduate Program Committee.

Facilities

The department is housed in the Technology Learning Center (TLC). CAI classrooms and enhanced technologies in this facility allow faculty and students to use innovations in computer-assisted classroom instruction and research technologies.

The department administers the University Writing Center, which provides a wealth of pedagogical, scholarly and technological resources for students seeking to strengthen their skills as writers and teachers, and graduate students have the opportunity to work in the Writing Center in administrative and tutoring capacities.

Faculty Specialties/Interests

All tenured and tenure-eligible faculty hold a Ph.D. in their particular field of expertise. Among the universities represented by the faculty’s doctoral training are Emory, Houston, Illinois, Northwestern, UCLA, Binghamton, Indiana, Maryland, Tennessee, Rochester, Oklahoma State, Georgia and Connecticut.

The faculty has a strong commitment to teaching and scholarship.

Faculty interests span British and American literature, creative writing, film and genre studies and literary theory.